— Photo courtesy Google Map

Tree removals on private property now require permits (with some exceptions)

On June 27, 2019, the Somerville City Council passed a Tree Preservation Ordinance (Ord. #2019-15) with new requirements for the removal of trees on private property. The ordinance went into effect on August 1, 2019, and incorporates and updates the prior City of Somerville Tree Ordinance, which set requirements only for the removal of public trees.

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers.)

By Joseph A. Curtatone

Taking a closer look at notable city data—and interesting numbers. 

77: Since 2014, 77 Somerville residents were lost to overdoses. Saturday, August 31, is International Overdose Awareness Day, which we will be marking with a ceremony at City Hall on Thursday, August 29, at 5:07 p.m. During the ceremony 77 small flags will be placed for the Somerville residents lost since 2014, and a larger flag will represent those lost prior to 2014. Seventy-seven deaths in five years is a tragedy, and sadly that tragedy is far reaching. Each of those people had family and friends who cared about them and who miss them. As a community, marking International Overdose Awareness Day is one way we can show our support to the countless people whose lives have been touched by overdose deaths. 

By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to the 711 Store on College Ave. last Sunday on reports of an assault.

Upon arrival the officers were flagged down by several people who informed me that someone had been stabbed. One person reportedly pointed directly at an individual leaving the scene and said that this was the suspect.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

I can’t believe 1969 was 50 years ago. You could buy a house in Somerville for about $17,000. Gas cost 35 cents a gallon. All our favorite stores were still around. It was way before Assembly Square and the Davis Square Red Line. The anti-war, and hippie movements were ramping up.

The Massachusetts State Police continue to investigate a hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian that occurred in Somerville early Sunday morning. The victim was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital with serious injuries and died a result of those injuries a day later.

The D2 block is phase one of several phases. The completed project will include eleven green open spaces on 3.6 acres of the total 15-acre development.

By Denise Keniston

On Thursday, August 22, the Somerville Planning Board approved phase one of the Union Square Revitalization Project, a $1.5 billion mixed-use transit-oriented development in Union Square known as USQ.

Former Somerville Mayor Eugene Brune received a commendation by the City Council last week commemorating his 90th birthday and thanking him for his many years of devoted service to the city.

By Jim Clark

At the latest meeting of the Somerville City Council, former Somerville Mayor Eugene Brune was honored with a citation from the Council on the occasion of his 90th birthday.

The City of Somerville Elections Department is seeking polling place workers for the Tuesday, September 10, preliminary election. To be eligible to work in a polling place you must be a registered Massachusetts voter. Polling place workers are paid $165 for the day and work from 6:30 a.m. until shortly after the polls close at 8 p.m. with a two-hour break. For more information, please contact Maria Pierotti at 617-625-6600 ext. 4200 or mpierotti@somervillema.gov.

L to R: Priyadarshini Kumar, ELA/Humanities teacher at Edwards Middle School; Jeff Bellows, VP of Corporate Citizenship + Public Affairs at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts; and Erin McAleer, President of Project Bread.

One in nine children in Massachusetts lives in a food insecure household. When children are hungry, it impacts their focus and learning abilities in the classroom. Concerned teachers across the Commonwealth are going above and beyond, often tapping into personal resources, to ensure students are nourished throughout the school day.

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers.)

Powder House Blvd used to be the prettiest, safest street in Somerville. It was a tree lined street with plenty of light. Besides the usual 5 o’clock traffic most cars that traveled the Blvd were residents of the West Somerville neighborhood.